Gas shortage hits Volta region, consumers stranded

Consumers of Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) in the Volta regional capital of Ho have been left stranded following an acute shortage of the commodity.

The situation which has persisted in the past couple of weeks has caused scores of taxi drivers who depend solely on the LPG to park their cars, while some chop bar and restaurant operators have to resort to the use of alternative sources of energy to prepare their meals.

Checks by Starr News on Thursday revealed that three out of 10 LPG stations in the Ho municipality have the product in stock, with long queues of vehicles and domestic cylinders awaiting supply of the product.

Some affected drivers told Starr news’ Lambert Atsivor that, the irregular supply of LPG in area is adversely affecting their business.

“I have been searching for gas for almost three weeks now and sometimes after spending long hours in queue at a particular station with the commodity; it will just finish before your turn. And it is really frustrating,” a driver by name Philip lamented, while waiting for his turn at the Goil filling station off the Ho-Kpetoe road.

Though, managers of the stations visited by Starr News could not explain the exact cause of the current LPG shortage, some consumers blame the situation on the increasing number of commercial vehicles resorting to the use of LPG, which is quite economical than petrol.

They are, however, appealing to the relevant authorities to ensure adequate supply of the commodity to the region.